Another First

We - The Jrs and I - are having Christmas on our own at home this year. So far, there is a tree (acquired by The Jrs the day The Girl arrived from Back East and small enough to fit into The Boy's truck thus obviating the need for rope and roof racks) which is decorated with lights and ribbons (another New and Broadening Experience as that was The Sr Boy's domain) and some strings of stars which used to hang in the windows. The dove on top is from a decoration on one of our wedding gifts. There are presents under the tree and The Jr Boy has just gone off to finish his wrapping. Nothing in newspaper so far. The stockings are still full - a sure indication of growing up as there was breakfast and coffee first. Prosecco and cranberry juice are chilling. A turkey is waiting in the frig, red cabbage is already cooked and waiting 'til sundown to rewarm. Church has been attended and all the people who ask after The Jrs got to see one and give a year's supply of hugs. It is a beautiful sparkling day and a walk will occur this afternoon. We are all, in our various ways, heart-lonely but I think we will make it.

Blessings be to all of you who stop by to check in. May there be light in your lives this season and throughout the new year.

Still breathing....

Houston vs Kelowna in Five Rounds

Some ways Houston, TX, is like Kelowna, BC:

1.) There is snow.

2.) There are people.

3.) There is a Saturday Farmers' Market with local vegetables and fruit and Indian food.

4.) There is a charming production of The Nutcracker.

5. ) There is weather.

Some ways Houston, TX, is not like Kelowna, BC:

1.) Snow that does not land on the ground much less stick will

a) close the airport

b) close schools

c) send staff home early from all sorts of places

2.) People here come in such variety. So far, a conversation with one woman from Egypt in full chador and another conversation with a gentleman from Nigeria via Switzerland which didn't work for him because it was too racist and that was one shuttle ride. Of course, there are also the security guards at the grocery store who are armed with guns.

3.) The Farmers' Market fruit was all citrus. Did you know oranges and grapefruit come in varieties and are harvested at different times?? There were also only 6 vendors - the rest stayed away due to Friday's weather (see #1)

4.) The Nutcracker as produced by a company which has over 75 donors who put down $5000 + each for the Annual Operating Fund (I didn't bother to count the other two pages which list the $500 - 4999 donors), a company of over 50 dancers and a full-on technical and support staff, has a cannon that goes "poot" not "BANG!!!!!!"

5.) So far, there has been snow(falling about laughing), brilliant sun and cold, rain (shoes still soggy) and fog (airport may be closed again) Hmmmm: except for the rain, maybe this is more like Kelowna than I thought. Pause to look out window: Nope: the guys across the street are putting out bedding plants. Also: everyone is all bundled up and DZ and I are walking about in our Goretex with long-sleeved t-shirts.

Toto, I don't think we're in Kelowna anymore....

Still breathing

Weather report

I am Away From Home. Quite Away in fact: deep in the south of Texas in Houston hanging out with my buddy DZ for a week. We have plans for Things To Do including going to the Houston Ballet to see The Nutcracker (she is a ballet virgin and this will be a "gentle" deflowering), exploring the local farmers' market at Rice Uni, (sorry no links - I'm using her laptop and linkage is beyond me), possible day trips to San Antonio (don't hold yer breath) and Galveston/Gulf shore as well as the usual of spending time together with someone I really like but don't know all that well. There may be wine involved, coffee is a given as is a trip to the local beauty emporium to consider new hair colour possibilities for her (I'm sticking with red).

So lots of plans which we will get right on as soon as we finish standing at the window with our coffee cups wearing our summer t-shirts, laughing.

In honour of two Canadian women with time on their hands, it's snowing in Houston.

I may have to teach her to knit.

Still breathing